Synthesis and biological evaluation of new pyrazolone-pyridazine conjugates as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents

Pyridazine and pyridazinone derivatives: Synthesis and in vitro investigation of their anti-inflammatory potential in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages

New pyridazine and pyridazinone derivatives 3a-g, 4a-f, 6a, and 6b were designed and synthesized. Cell viability of all compounds was established based on the viability of lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells determined via the MTT assay. In vitro inhibition assays on human COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes were conducted to probe the newly synthesized compounds' anti-inflammatory activity. The half maximal inhibitory concentration values for the most active compounds, 3d, 3e, and 4e towards COX-2 were 0.425, 0.519, and 0.356 µM, respectively, in comparison with celecoxib. The newly synthesized compounds' ability to inhibit the production of certain proinflammatory cytokines, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and prostaglandin-E2, was also estimated in lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophages (RAW264.7 cells). Compounds 3d and 3e were identified as the most potent cytokine production inhibitors. The results of molecular modeling studies suggested that these compounds were characterized by a reasonable binding affinity toward the active site of COX-2, when compared to a reference ligand. These results might be taken into consideration in further investigations into new anti-inflammatory agents.

Methanesulfonamide derivatives as gastric safe anti-inflammatory agents: Design, synthesis, selective COX-2 inhibitory activity, histopathological and histochemical studies

Novel chalcone 3a-c, pyrazoline 4a-i and pyridine 5a-c, 6a&b derivatives bearing methanesulfonamide moiety were synthesized. Their construction was confirmed using spectral data and elemental analysis. The stereo-chemical configuration for compounds 3a-c was predicted by MM2 property and 1H NMR spectra. All the prepared compounds were screened for their in vitro COX-1/COX-2 inhibitory activities and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The most active anti-inflammatory derivatives, 4f-4i, after 3, 5 & 7 h were further subjected to histopathological and histochemical studies showing safe effect on gastric mucosa, especially 4h derivative. To explore the mechanism of action of COX-2 inhibitory compounds 4f and 6b with the highest S.I. values, they were docked inside COX-2 active site. Physicochemical properties for 4f-i and 6b derivatives were predicted and compared to the reference drug celecoxib. They showed good oral bio-availability specially pyrazoline derivative 4f and pyridine containing compound 6b.

Iron-Catalysed Carbene Transfer to Isocyanides as a Platform for Heterocycle Synthesis

An iron-catalysed carbene transfer reaction of diazo compounds to isocyanides has been developed. The resulting ketenimines are trapped in situ with various bisnucleophiles to access a range of densely functionalized heterocycles (pyrimidinones, dihydropyrazolones, 1H-tetrazoles) in a one-pot process. The electron-rich Hieber anion ([Fe(CO)₃ NO]^- ) facilitates efficient catalytic carbene transfer from acceptor-type α-diazo carbonyl compounds to isocyanides, providing a cost-efficient and benign alternative to similar noble metal-catalysed processes. Based on DFT calculations a plausible reaction mechanism for activation of the α-diazo carbonyl carbene precursor and ketenimine formation is provided.

Hydroxytriazenes incorporating sulphonamide derivatives: evaluation of antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities, and computational study

The existent investigation deals with synthesis, characterization, computational analysis, and biological activities of some hydroxytriazene derivatives containing sulphonamide moiety. The compounds were screened for antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. The antidiabetic activity was assessed using α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition assays with IC₅₀ values ranging from 32.0 to 759.13 μg/mL and 157.77 to 340.47 μg/mL while standard drug acarbose showed IC₅₀ values 12.21 and 69.74 μg/mL, respectively. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays with IC₅₀ value ranging from 54.01 to 912.66 μg/mL and 33.22 to 128.11 μg/mL, and standard drug ascorbic acid showed IC₅₀ values 29.12 μg/mL and 69.13 μg/mL, respectively. Anti-inflammatory activity was investigated using the carrageenan-induced paw edema method, where percentage inhibition was up to 93.0 and 98.57 for 2 h and 4 h, respectively, and all the compounds were found to exhibit excellent anti-inflammatory activity. Moreover, prediction of activity spectra for substance and molecular docking were also performed. The PASS prediction hypothesized the potential of the compounds for anti-inflammatory activity, and docking results suggested the best binding pose for compounds 1b and 2b with the least energy value from which compounds can be considered as potent COX-2 inhibitors. Furthermore, possible interactions between hydroxytriazene analogues and the targets of antioxidant NADPH oxidase and antidiabetic human maltase-glucoamylase enzyme have been identified. The HOMO and LUMO analysis revealed charge transfer within the compounds. These findings suggested that the synthesized compounds can be potential agents for the treatment of diabetes and inflammation.

Pyrazolone-type compounds (part II): in vitro and in silico evaluation of antioxidant potential; structure-activity relationship

The pyrazolone class comprises a variety of hybrid compounds displaying diverse biological actions. Although studied for decades, these compounds are still of interest due to their facile chemical transformations. In our previous work, we presented the synthetic route of functionalised pyrazolone derivatives. The presence of pyrazolone structural motif in many drugs, such as edaravone, prompted us to investigate the antioxidant features of the selected compounds. In this paper, we provide an extensive in vitro and in silico description of the antioxidant properties of selected pyrazolone analogues. The obtained in vitro results revealed their great antiradical potency against the DPPH radical (IC₅₀ values in the 2.6-7.8 μM range), where the best results were obtained for analogues bearing a catechol moiety. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to assess their antioxidant capacity from the thermodynamic aspect. Here, good agreement with in vitro results was achieved. DFT was employed for the prediction of the most preferable radical scavenging pathway, also. In polar solvents, the SPLET mechanism is a favourable scavenging route, whereas in nonpolar solvents the HAT is slightly predominant. Furthermore, antioxidant mechanisms were studied in the presence of relevant reactive oxygen species. The obtained values of the reaction enthalpies with the selected radicals revealed that HAT is slightly prevailing in polar solvents, while the SPLET mechanism is dominant in nonpolar solvents. Regarding the well-known antioxidant features of the drug edaravone, these findings represent valuable data for this pyrazolone class and could be used as the basis for further investigations.

Ribosome-mediated biosynthesis of pyridazinone oligomers in vitro

The ribosome is a macromolecular machine that catalyzes the sequence-defined polymerization of L-α-amino acids into polypeptides. The catalysis of peptide bond formation between amino acid substrates is based on entropy trapping, wherein the adjacency of transfer RNA (tRNA)-coupled acyl bonds in the P-site and the α-amino groups in the A-site aligns the substrates for coupling. The plasticity of this catalytic mechanism has been observed in both remnants of the evolution of the genetic code and modern efforts to reprogram the genetic code (e.g., ribosomal incorporation of non-canonical amino acids, ribosomal ester formation). However, the limits of ribosome-mediated polymerization are underexplored. Here, rather than peptide bonds, we demonstrate ribosome-mediated polymerization of pyridazinone bonds via a cyclocondensation reaction between activated γ-keto and α-hydrazino ester monomers. In addition, we demonstrate the ribosome-catalyzed synthesis of peptide-hybrid oligomers composed of multiple sequence-defined alternating pyridazinone linkages. Our results highlight the plasticity of the ribosome's ancient bond-formation mechanism, expand the range of non-canonical polymeric backbones that can be synthesized by the ribosome, and open the door to new applications in synthetic biology.

Pyrazolone-type compounds: synthesis and in silico assessment of antiviral potential against key viral proteins of SARS-CoV-2

Coronavirus outbreak is still a major public health concern. The high mutation ability of SARS-CoV-2 periodically delivers more transmissible and dangerous variants. Hence, the necessity for an efficient and inexpensive antiviral agent is urgent. In this work, pyrazolone-type compounds were synthesised, characterised using spectroscopic methods and theoretical tools, and evaluated in silico against proteins of SARS-CoV-2 responsible for host cell entry and reproduction processes, i.e., spike protein (S), M^pro, and PL_pro. Five of twenty compounds are newly synthesised. In addition, the crystal structure of a pyrazolone derivative bearing a vanillin moiety is determined. The obtained in silico results indicate a more favourable binding affinity of pyrazolone analogues towards M^pro, and PL_pro in comparison to drugs lopinavir, remdesivir, chloroquine, and favipiravir, while in the case of S protein only lopinavir exerted higher binding affinity. Also, the investigations were performed on ACE2 and the spike RBD-ACE2 complex. The obtained results for these proteins suggest that selected compounds could express antiviral properties by blocking the binding to the host cell and viral spreading, also. Moreover, several derivatives expressed multitarget antiviral action, blocking both binding and reproduction processes. Additionally, in silico ADME/T calculations predicted favourable features of the synthesised compounds, i.e., drug-likeness, oral bioavailability, as well as good pharmacokinetic parameters related to absorption, metabolism, and toxicity. The obtained results imply the great potential of synthesised pyrazolones as multitarget agents against SARS-CoV-2 and represent a valuable background for further in vitro investigations.

Coronavirus outbreak is still a major public health concern.

Highly enantioselective one-pot sequential synthesis of valerolactones and pyrazolones bearing all-carbon quaternary stereocentres

Highly enantiopure and bioactive δ-valerolactones and pyrazolones, bearing α-all-carbon quaternary stereocentres, were successfully and sequentially prepared via a one-pot procedure starting from readily available, inexpensive materials, catalysed by a new chiral squaramide under mild reaction conditions. An organocatalytic Michael reaction afforded the valerolactones, while a one-pot Michael-hydrazinolysis-imidization cascade yielded the pyrazolones. This procedure is economically efficient and environmentally benign.

Access to a Phthalazine Derivative Through an Angular cis-Quinacridone

Intramolecular electrophilic cyclization of a bisanthranilate afforded an angular cis-quinacridone compound, which condensed with hydrazine to give a phthalazine derivative. A [2+2+2] cyclization reaction occurred at the C-N double bond position of phthalazine when reacted with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate. The structures of these novel compounds were confirmed by crystallographic analysis. The phthalazine derivative decomposes back to quinacridone at ambient condition in the dark and as a solid with a half lifetime of about 22 months.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of LD-RT and some novel thiadiazole derivatives through COX-2 inhibition

Generally, highly selective COX-2 inhibitors cause cardiovascular side effects. Celecoxib is the highly marketed coxib, so there is still a need for the synthesis of COX-2 inhibitors with less adverse effects. Moreover, low-dose radiotherapy (LD-RT) is clinically used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of a novel series of 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives alone or combined with LD-RT with a single dose of 0.5 Gy. Initially, in vitro COX-1/COX-2 inhibition assays were performed, identifying the sulfonamide-containing compounds 5-10 as the most potent candidates, with IC₅₀ values in the range of 0.32-0.37 µM and the highest selectivity indices. These compounds and celecoxib were subjected to in vivo examination after their safety was assessed through the acute toxicity test. Treatment with compounds 5-10 inhibited carrageenan-induced edema by nearly 47-56%, which was nearly equivalent to celecoxib. Compounds 7 and 8 and celecoxib showed an analgesic activity of 64.15%, 49.05%, and 84.90%, respectively, whereas compounds 5, 6, 9, and 10 did not show any analgesic activity unless combined with LD-RT. Ulcerogenic activity, histological paw examination, and docking studies were performed. Compounds 5-10 were nearly similar to celecoxib, showing normal histological features with no ulcerogenic activity.

Discovery of Novel Pyridazine-Based Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors with a Promising Gastric Safety Profile

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is implicated in the development of chronic inflammatory diseases. Recently, pyridazine derivatives have emerged as a novel prototype to develop COX-2 inhibitors. Accordingly, some pyridazine-based COX-2 inhibitors are reported herein. The reaction of aldehyde 3 and different hydrazines yielded the corresponding hydrazones. The hydrazones were further derivatized to the title compounds, which were assessed for COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory action, gastric ulcerogenic effects, and lipid peroxidation properties. Molecular docking studies and determination of the physicochemical parameters were also carried out. The allocated structures of the reported compounds were coherent with their spectroscopic data. The compounds 9a (IC₅₀ = 15.50 nM, 114.77%), 9b (IC₅₀ = 17.50 nM, 101.65%), 12 (IC₅₀ = 17.10 nM, 104.03%), 16b (IC₅₀ = 16.90 nM, 105.26%), and 17 (IC₅₀ = 17.70 nM, 100.5%) displayed better COX-2 inhibition than celecoxib (IC₅₀ = 17.79 nM, 100%). These outcomes were harmonious with the molecular docking studies of 9a, 9b, 12, 16b, and 17. These compounds also displayed comparable onset and the duration of action concerning celecoxib and indomethacin in the in vivo studies. No ulcerogenic effects were observed for 9a and 12, whereas 9b, 16b, and 17 showed an insignificant ulcerogenic effect compared to celecoxib. The compounds 9a, 9b, 12, 16b, and 17 displayed a better lipid peroxidation profile than celecoxib and indomethacin. The compounds 9a (%ABS = 84.09), 9b (%ABS = 84.09), 12 (%ABS = 66.87), 16b (%ABS = 75.02), and 17 (%ABS = 81.42) also displayed appreciable calculated absorption compared to celecoxib (%ABS = 82.09). The compounds 9a, 9b, 11, 16b, and 17 have been recognized and postulated as non-ulcerogenic COX-2 inhibitors with promising physicochemical parameters and gastric safety profile. These compounds may be useful candidates to combat diseases caused by higher levels of COX-2.

Pyrazolone structural motif in medicinal chemistry: Retrospect and prospect

The pyrazolone structural motif is a critical element of drugs aimed at different biological end-points. Medicinal chemistry researches have synthesized drug-like pyrazolone candidates with several medicinal features including antimicrobial, antitumor, CNS (central nervous system) effect, anti-inflammatory activities and so on. Meanwhile, SAR (Structure-Activity Relationship) investigations have drawn attentions among medicinal chemists, along with a plenty of analogues have been derived for multiple targets. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the biological activity and SAR for pyrazolone analogues, wishing to give an overall retrospect and prospect on the pyrazolone derivatives.

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The pyrazolone structural motif is a critical element of drugs aimed at different biological end-points.

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The pyrazolone analogues have been carried out to drug-like candidates with broad range of medicinal properties.

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This review wishes to give an overall retrospect and prospect on the pyrazolone derivatives.

in vitro Cytotoxic Evaluation of Some New Synthesized Pyridazine Derivatives

A series of novel pyridazine, pyrazoles, pyrimidines derivatives have been synthesized through the reaction of chloropyridazine (1) with p-phenylenediamine to give compound 2. Diazotization of compound 2 followed by coupling with active methylene compounds namely acetylacetone, ethylcyanoacetate and/or ethylacetoacetate afforded novel hydrazons derivatives (4-6). The resulting hydrazons can have been cyclized using hydrazine hydrate and guanidine gave the corresponding pyrazoles (7-9) and pyimidine (10) derivatives. Reaction of compound 2 with acrylonitrile, aromatic aldehyde, p-chloroacetophenone and phenyl isothiocyanate gave compounds 11, 12a, 12b, 13 and 17, respectively. The latter compounds have been used in synthesis of some heterocyclic compounds. The cytotoxic activity of the most active compounds was assessed in vitro against breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7), human liver cancer cell line (HEPG2), human colon cancer cell line (HCT). Compounds 4, 8 showed best activity against MCF-7 cell line, compounds 5, 13a showed best activity against HePG2 cell line and compound 10 showed best activity against HCT cell line.

Selective Synthesis in Microdroplets of 2-Phenyl-2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione from Phenyl Hydrazine with Phthalic Anhydride or Phthalic Acid

Pyridazine derivatives are privileged structures because of their potential biological and optical properties. Traditional synthetic methods usually require acid or base as a catalyst under reflux conditions with reaction times ranging from hours to a few days or require microwave assistance to induce the reaction. Herein, this work presents the accelerated synthesis of a pyridazine derivative, 2-phenyl-2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione (PDHP), in electrosprayed microdroplets containing an equimolar mixture of phenyl hydrazine and phthalic anhydride or phthalic acid. This reaction occurred on the submillisecond timescale with good yield (over 90 % with the choice of solvent) without using an external catalyst at room temperature. In sharp contrast to the bulk reaction of obtaining a mixture of two products, the reaction in confined microdroplets yields only the important six-membered heterocyclic product PDHP. Results indicated that surface reactions in microdroplets with low pH values cause selectivity, acceleration, and high yields.

Heterocyclization of polarized system: synthesis, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory 4-(pyridin-3-yl)-6-(thiophen-2-yl) pyrimidine-2-thiol derivatives

Background

Chalcones are intent in the daily diet as a favorable chemotherapeutic compound; on the other hand thiophene moiety is present in a large number of bioactive molecules having diverse biological efficiency.

Results

Our current goal is the synthesis of (E)-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-3-(thiophen-2-yl) prop-2-en-1-one 3 that^’s used as a starting compound to synthesize the novel pyrimidine-2-thiol, pyrazole, pyran derivatives. Chalcones 3 was prepared by condensation of 3-acetylpyridine with thiophene 2-carboxaldehyde which reacted with thiourea to obtain pyrimidinthiol derivative 4. Compound 4 was allowed to react with hydrazine hydrate to afford 2-hydrazinylpyrimidine derivative 5. Compound 5 was used as a key intermediate for a facile synthesis of the targets 6 and 7. In contrast, pyranone 8 was obtained by transformation of compound 5. Using as a precursor for the synthesis of new pyrazolo pyrimidine derivatives 9–10. The major incentive behind the preparation of these compounds was the immense biological activities associated to these heterocyclic derivatives.

Conclusions

The newly synthesized compounds (1–4) showed potent anti-inflammatory activities both in vitro and in vivo. They also exhibited promising antioxidant vitalities against α, α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, compound 1 showed a hopefully anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.

Synthesis and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Pyrrole Hetarylazoles Containing Benzimidazole/Pyrazolone/1,3,4-Oxadiazole Motifs

Azomethine linked pyrrole bishetarylazoles containing benzimidazole/pyrazolone/1,3,4-oxadiazole were synthesized in satisfactory yields. Their structures were confirmed by IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and elemental analysis. Evaluation for the cytotoxic activities In vitro against a panel of breast cancer cell lines (MDA-AB-231, BT-474 and Ishikawa cells) revealed that the pyrrole-benzimidazole hybrids are more potent than the pyrazolone and 1,3,4-oxadiazole hybrids in all cell lines. Compound (9) displayed promising cytotoxicity against BT-474 cell line with IC50 values, 7.7 µM.

Synthesis of Novel Substituted Thiourea and Benzimidazole Derivatives Containing a Pyrazolone Ring as Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Two series of new 1-(alkyl/aryl)-3-{2-[(5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino]phenyl}thioureas 2a-h and 5-[2-(substituted amino)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]-4H-pyrazol-3-ols 3a-i were designed and synthesized as anti-inflammatory agents. The cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity of the newly synthesized compounds was investigated. All the compounds showed non-selective inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes which was consistent with their docking results. Compounds 2c, 2f, 2g, 3b, and 3g that showed the highest COX-2 inhibitory activity were selected for further in vivo testing as anti-inflammatory agents using diclofenac as a reference drug. Two of the test compounds (2c and 3b) showed potent anti-inflammatory activity comparable to that of diclofenac with lower ulcerogenic effect relative to indomethacin. SAR study of the two series as cyclooxygenase inhibitors and anti-inflammatory agents was also provided.

Modifying tetramethyl-nitrophenyl-imidazoline with amino acids: design, synthesis, and 3D-QSAR for improving inflammatory pain therapy

With the help of pharmacophore analysis and docking investigation, 15 novel 1-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(3-nitrophenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-1-yl)-oxyacetyl-L-amino acids (6a-o) were designed, synthesized, and assayed. On tail-flick and xylene-induced ear edema models, 10 μmol/kg 6a-o exhibited excellent oral anti-inflammation and analgesic activity. The dose-dependent assay of their representative 6f indicates that the effective dose should be 3.3 μmol/kg. The correlation of the three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship with the docking analysis provides a basis for the rational design of drugs to treat inflammatory pain.